This is a companion poem to 'The Song of The Rooftop’ published here just a week ago. Both are fairly lighthearted poems written with the idea that school-age children might be able to use them to start a conversation about a fairly prominent statement demonstrating a community’s desire to do all it can to protect out fragile planet.
I will add to this post over the next two-or-three weeks as I find information which can supplement this poem. One thought would be that this and/or its companion could be included in an end-of-term concert. So, watch this space, and watch also for a post which will list around 10 or 12 items, all of which could, similarly be introduced into end-of-term concerts.
Photo credit Pixaby.
Oh Yes! Don’t worry if people quote Listed Building Status as a problem: there are lots of helpful precedents, including solar panels on two Cathedrals - Gloucester (installed 2016) and Salisbury (installed 2020).
Look Around In Many Towns and Villages.
Look around, in many towns
and villages you’ll find,
there's a parish church
which has weathered storm and wind,
down the years. There, people
have met to mark the dates,
of life and death occasions
and often celebrate.
Almost all these churches
have nave roofs that face South:
they'll get the sun upon them
throughout the daylight hours;
and as they’re large and well-placed
to gather solar power,
with big arrays of panels
they can drive emissions down.
So why not ask the Vicar,
and chat around the town
to see if there are people
whose backing could be found,
to help to make this happen
in your community
to help towards an earth that can
from fossil fuels break free?
Trevor Thorn June 2022
The companion poem ’The Song of the Church Rooftop' can be found HERE